Air cleaner and purifier



Feb. 13, -1945` B. SONNTAG AIR CLANER AND PURIFIER 'A Fired-'May 2e, 1945 s sweeps-sheet 1 Bern/)grd Sonntag' INVENTOR.

Atzorney Feb 13, 1945 B. SONNTAG AIR CLEANER AND PURIFIER Filed May 26, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 :l L l El Bernhard Sonntag 'il'....f'p

INVENTOR.

[Ai orney Feb. 13,1945 B. soNNTAG l AIR cLEAmn AND BURIFIER Filed May 26, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .uN-Vrac s'rAr Pennac-irai. 13,1945 Y Es `vanlsNr OFFICE AIB CLEANER AND PURIFIER i Bernhard Sonntag Dallas, Tex. ApplicationMayZG, 1943, Serial No. 488,597

' 11V Claims.

This invention relates to air cleaners and puri- I ners, and it has particular reference to an appa ratus whereby the air in' a kitchen is continuously circulated and separated from cooking odors,

greasy vapors, smoke, 'fuxnes and the like-during- Another objectA of the invention is the pro- Y vision ofra kitchen air purifying and circulating device which may be readily installed in a house, apartment or other dwelling which has already been constructed, without the necessity of costly construction charges inorder to obtain avent to the outside through a chimney or other outlet.

.Still another object of the invention is to tirovide a kitchen air cleaner, grease trap and air purifier, so arranged that the warm air, cooking odors and-vapors from the kitchen range are circulated through the air cleaner and purifier, warm air in the kitchen being retained, thereby eliminating entirely heat loss during cold weather such as results when conventional blowers and Vvents to the outside are used.

Yet another object is to provide a combination hood for the kitchen stove or range and an air cleaner, grease trap and air purifier by means of which impure and grease-laden air arising from the range during cooking is entrapped within the hood, and is subsequently constrained to pass by reasonV of the action of a blower or :fan through a iiltering medium, such as steelwool or excelsior or other means, or effective chemical solutions or substances, to remove solid particles and greases, and is finally puriiied for return to the kitchen by means of an air purifying device such as an ozonizer or other suitable means, such as chemical solutions or substances.

The invention has also for an object the provision of an apparatus hereinafter described in detail which may be readily installed in any kitchen, and which is inexpensive in construction and thoroughly dependable in operation, whether employed to circulate, cleanse and purify the air within the kitchen itself or when arranged to exhaust the air to the outside.

A further object of the invention .isto provide means for optionally controlling the ow of gases and the like whereby they may be withdrawn .from the kitchen during hot weather and passed to a chimney or other outside vent, whereas in `cold weather the hot gases may be purified and' returned to the kitchen, thus conserving heat.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for automatically breaking an electrical .circuit to a transformer associated with an ozonizer when the valve is moved to such' position as to exhaust the hot gases to the outside,

thus cutting out the' operation of the` ozonlzer when the purifying means is not employed..

' The invention may be readily understood from a perusal of the following detailed description,

taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and in the drawings:

Figure-1 is a perspective view of the invention shown with portions broken away;

Figure 2 is a view of Figure 1 in verticalsection;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a grease trap forming part of the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a lter, with attendant parts;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the blower housing and showing the supporting means for the grease trap and lter means; p

Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the blower, scroll, and supporting structure, with portions broken away;

Figure 7 is a plan View with portions broken the' ozonizer, battling means n the modified form of invention disclosed in Figs.

` 8 and 9;

Fig. 11 is asectlon similar to Fig. 2 but showing the modification; and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary plan view partially in section showing the modiiication.

Heretofore .various methods have been employed to remove cooking odors and greasy vapors from the kitchen, each of which methods has its disadvantages. VIn the case of a direct vent to the outside, the air exhausted tends to carry off a large amount of 'heat or conditioned air, especially when a `blower or fan is used and exhausted to the outside. This heat or conditioned air must necessarily be replaced at a considerable expense. In other cases the air currents resulting from air circulation through cen- .tral heating sources or air conditioners or air circulators tend to carry the cooking odors and/ grease-laden air from the kitchen to al1 parts' side without necessitating a virtually prohibitive expense and at the same time necessitating unsightly pipes and outside vents.

The present invention contemplates the provision of an apparatus for cleansing and purifying the air within a kitchen, and whereby the above mentioned diiiiculties are completely eliminated.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral I denotes a panel which is suitably secured to the wall of a kitchen above the stove or range. A hood 2 is arranged as shown and is provided with a pair of lateral panels 3, constructed of plate glass or other suitable material. A blower or centrifugal fan 4, positioned within a scroll or housing and driven by a motor 5, serves to exhaust the heated air, cooking odors and grease-laden vapors from the interior of the hood for subsequent treatment, or for delivery to the outside, as will be hereinafter explained in connection with Figs. 8 and 9. The scroll 5 is provided with an orifice 1 at the lower portion thereof to allow greases to drain into a grease trap 8, located beneath the scroll and illustrated in detail in Figure 3.

A removablepanel 9 is aiiixed to the scroll 5 and provided with an opening -Iii to permit ingress of cooking odors, greasy vapors and the like into the centrifugal fan 4 for expulsion into the scroll 5.

A lter II is supported by members I2 and I3 illustrated in Figure 5. It will be understood that members I2 and I3 are positioned on either side of the filter |I, and it will be noted that the members I3 are positioned above the base portion I4 in order to provide for the insertion of the grease trap 8. As illustrated in Figure 2, the grease trap 8 is of such dimensions that it will slide completely under the filter I I and the scroll 5, thereby providing a trap for the grease draining through the orifice 1 in the scroll 5, as well as for the grease draining from the iilter Il through an orifice or orifices I5 in the lower f portion of the supporting frame for the filter I I.

The iiltering material may be steel wool, excelsior, or any other suitable material or substance which `may be chemically treated if so desired. Spring clips I6 serve to removably hold the filter I I in operative position.

A deiiecting and spreading means I 1 is provided with slanting sides as shown and is hingedly connected adjacent its rear portion to the sides or bottom of the motor and scroll housing |4.

Thus it is possible to swing the deflector |1 downwardly to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, thereby making it possible to remove the grease trap 8 for cleaning. The defiector I1 is held inoperative position by means of a wing nut 9 or other mechanical means.

An inclined baiiie is positioned within the hood 2 along the front part thereof as shown in Figure 2. This baiiie serves to deflect fumes and the like to the rear of the hood, and likewise serves as a support for an electric light 2|, preferably a tubular type of light.

,The hood 2 may be provided with a purifying v chamber 22, which chamber is preferably positioned above and to the rear of the hood 2 and isv connected to the scroll 5 by means of a passageway 23.

An ozonizer 2d having connection with a transformer 25 is positioned above the opening in the chamber 22 and in the passage therein` directed to grills 21.

Baies 28, best shown in Figures 1. and 7, serve to deiiect air, vapors, fumes, etc., as indicated by the arrows, during which travel they are intimately commingled with ozone and thus freed .from cooking odors and the like prior to their return to the kitchen through the grills 21.

It will be understood that the form of purifying chamber shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is particularly adapted for use in a kitchen which is not provided with a flue or vent. In such cases it is necessaiy to purify the air and return the same to the kitchen. Where, however, the kitchen is provided with an outlet flue, vent or chimney, a slightly modified form of purifying casing may be employed which, in addition to the purifying elements described in connection with the preceding figures, is 'likewise provided with an outletflue bypassing `the purifying elements and adapted to convey the gases directly from the hood, after passing through the filter II and the scroll 1, to the external atmosphere. In such case it is necessary to have suitable control means to cut off the connection to the purifier when the gases are to be directed to the exterior, and vice versa to cut ofi access to the outlet flue when the gases are to be purified and returned to the kitchen. Such an arrangement is shown in Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11. As shown a chamber 28 corresponding to the purifying chamber 22 of Figs. 1 and 2 is provided with baiiies partially illustrated at 29 and corresponding to the baflies 26 shown in Figs. l, 2 and 7, which baiiies provide tortuous passageways leading to outlets (not shown in Figs.

8 and 9) corresponding to the outlets 21 of Figs.

1 and 7. The chamber 28 may be connected to a scroll outlet 28a which flares outwardly atits upper portion so as to communicate with a pair of openings 30 and 3|. The opening 30 communicates with the interior of the purifying casing while the outlet 3| is adapted to communicate with the vent pipe 39 leading to the outside atmosphere. An ozonizer 32 corresponding to the ozonizer 24 of the rst embodiment of the inven-l tion is shown located directly above the opening 30 leading from the scroll housing. A transformer for the ozonizer 32 is indicated conventionally at 33 and corresponds to the transformer 25 shown in the rst embodiment of the invention.

A slide valve or other satisfactory mechanism 34 is positioned by guides 35 and is provided with a rod 36, which rod terminates in a knob 31 exterior to the chamber 28,. A stop 38 limits the outward travel of the rodl 36 and the slide valve 34. Thus it will be seen that when the valve is in the position illustrated, cooking odors, vapors,4

ma ma um opening 'melma l cooking' odors,

vapors and the like are then free to pass throughn-, scroll housing for said blower, a removable grease the flue II linto a chimney or .other outside vent'.

4-Heat is thus withdrawn from the kitchenl during hot weather, whereas heat is conserved during the winter months, the-ozonlzer being-therruserl` and the heated and kitchen'.

purified air returnedtothe` In order to prevent actuation of the ozonizer when the apparatus'isset for exhausting to the outside, switching' means areV provided which`V automatically break the electrical circuitto the ozonizer when the slide valve is moved to the trap for receiving greases drained from said filter;

' an ozonizer anda chamber tberefon, said cham ber having-a passageway leading from said housing, a aus leading to the outsideof the building and having a connecting passageway from said housing, a valve means in control of said pas` sageways and arranged to open either of said 'v passageways and simultaneously closing the other, means whereby the ozonizer may be actuated only when the peway to said ozonizer chambenis open and bame means tocominingle right inV order to exhaust to the outside. The

switching means may be any mechanical or electrical arrangement or comprised primarily of an arm il of insulating material which is pivoted at- 4I. A conducting segment 42 is ilxedly positioned on the arm ll-as shown. A wire Il is connected to the conducting segment 42 through a spring u, which spring serves to hold the segment I2 in electrical contact with a switch -a whenA the valve assembly is in the position illustrated, that is with the ozonizer ready for use when a master switch, not shown, is closed. When, however, the slide valve is moved to the right, a projection 46 on the rod 36 serves to contact the arm l0, thereby swinging the same so as to break the contactv between the point VV4Ba 'and the segment 42 and opening the circuit through theV A ozonizer.

Manifestly, while the disclosure presents a 'practical working embodiment of the invention the interior of said hood and the kitchen space exterior to said hood, a blower arranged to force through said passage heated air laden with grease and impurities from a cooking operation into said hood, removable lter means for freeing said air from grease, a grease trap arranged to receive said greases draining Vfrom said filter means and blower, ozonizer means for purifying said air air with ozone vgenerated by said ozonizer prior to expulsion of the purified air from said cham- 'l ber into the kitchen. 4. A combinationventilator., air cleaner, circulator Vand deodorizer for kitchens including a Vhood arranged to be positioned above a kitchen stove, a removable filter for removingI grease from the heated air entrapped within the conilnes of said hood'l a blower for drawing air through said iilter and expelling the same from said hood, a

ozonizer and a chamber therefor, said chamber having a connecting :w: eway from said scroll f housing, a flue leading to the outside of the kitchen and likewise having a connecting passageway from said scroll housing, a valve means in control of said passageways and arranged to open either of said passageways and simultaneously close the other, means whereby said ozonizer may be actuated only when the passageway to said ozonizer chamber is open and. baillev means to commingle air with ozone generated by said ozonizer prior to expulsion of the purified air from said chamber into the kitchen.

5. In a ventilator including a hood arranged to be positioned above a kitchen stove, a motor, a

blower, the motor operating the blower, the motor the scroll housing having an inlet opening. a removable filter means spaced in the front of the e inlet opening of the scroll housing, a chamber prior to its return to said kitchen space, and I means forV commingling ozone formed by said ozonizer means with air'within said passage.

2. An air cleanser, circulator, and deodorizer comprising-a hood arranged to bepositioned above a kitchen range for receiving grease laden air therefrom, a illter for removing greases from the heated air rising by convection into said hood, a blower forexpelling air trapped within the conflnesof said hood, a scroll housing for said blower, said housing having an orifice in the lowermost part thereof, a removable Vgrease trap for receiving greases drained from said lter and from said scroll through said orifice, an ozonizer, baille means forcommingling ozone generated by y said ozonizer with the air expelled by said blower spaced above the scrollv housingand the outlet opening of the scroll housing connecting with the chamber and the chamber'having outlet openings,`a :Elue connected by a passageway with the scroll housing, valve means for controlling blower, the motor operating the blower, the motor andblower mounted in the rear of the hood, a f

scroll housing having the blower spaced therein,

and means for permitting return of the air to stove forreceiving grease laden air therefrom,

a lter, a blower for drawing air through said the scroll housing having an-inlet opening and an outlet opening, a removable filter means ,spaced in the front of the inleteopening of thef scroll housing, a deilecting plate secured to the front inside `the hood, a. chamber spaced above the scroll housing and the outletopening of the scroll housing connecting with the chamber, the

e housing having bailles arranged therein, and the chamber having outlet openings.

7. A combination ventilator. air cleaner,` circulator and deodorizer for kitchens including a hood arranged to be positioned above a. kitchen stove, a blower for drawing air through the hood, a scroll housing for the blower, an ozonizer and a chamber therefor, said chamber having a connecting passageway from said scroll housing, a flue leading to the outside of the kitchen and likewise having a connecting passageway from said scroll housing, a valve means in control of said passageways and arranged to open either of said passagewys and simultaneously close the other, means whereby said ozonizer may be actuated only when the passageway to said ozonizer chamber is open, and baille means to commingle air with ozone generated by said ozonizer prior to expulsion of the puried air from said chamber into the kitchen.

8. A Ventilating apparatus for kitchens for removing odors, grease and fumes from the air therein during cooking operations comprising a hood adapted to be disposed over a kitchen stove for receiving grease laden air and gases therefrom, an air purifier, comprising a casing, resting upon the hood, an outlet opening in the top of the hood communicating with the interior of the casing, an ozonizer within the casing located above the opening, an outlet opening in the casing for returning purified air to the kitchen after purification, and a tortuous passageway leading from the ozonizer to said outlet.

9. A kitchen ventilator comprising a hood adapted to be positioned above a kitchen stove to receive the air and gases therefrom, means associated with said hood for purifying the air and returning the hot purified air to the kitchen, a flue communicating with said hood for receiving unpuriied air and gases and passing the same to the exterior atmosphere, and valve means for selectively controlling the ilow of air from said hood to said iiue or said purifying means whereby in hot weather the hot gases may be vented directly to the outer atmosphere, while in cold weather the air may be puried and the hot air returned to the kitchen to conserve heat.

10. A kitchen ventilator comprising a hood adapted to be disposed over a stove for receiving grease-laden air and gases therefrom, a casing disposed above the hood, an opening in the top of the hood communicating with the interior of the casing, air purifying means within the casing above said opening, an outlet from said casing for returning hot puried air directly to the kitchen, an outlet flue leading from -the hood to the exterior and bypassing the purifying means, and control means for selectively directing air from the hood to the purifying means or to the outlet ue at the will of the operator.

11. A kitchen ventilator, a hood adapted to be disposed over a stove to receive the grease-laden air and gases therefrom, a casing located above the hoodl an opening in the hood communicating with the interior of the casing, an ozonizer located above said openng. a transformer associated with said ozonizer, a ue leading from said hood to the external atmosphere, and valve means for selectively cutting oi said opening or .said flue, and switch means associated with the control means for controlling the transformer associated with said ozonizer,

BERNHARD SONNTAG. 

